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Google Duo icon returns to app drawers, but it still opens Google Meet
The Google Duo app icon has made a comeback with the latest Google Meet update, but it still opens the unified Google Meet app. Read on to learn more.
Earlier this month, Google started rolling out an update for Google Duo, which set the long-overdue Duo-Meet merger into motion. The update changed the Duo app name and icon to that of Google Meet and introduced all of the latter's features to the app. In addition, Google updated the Duo branding on the web version and started showing Meet branding and icon. However, with the latest Google Meet (previously Duo) update, the Google Duo app icon is making a comeback to users' app drawers.
The Google Duo-Google Meet merger is finally underway
Google is rolling out an update for the Google Duo app on Android and iOS which rebrands the app as Google Meet. Read on to learn more.
Google has been working on merging Google Duo with Google Meet for the last few months. The company confirmed its plans for the merger in June this year, after which it rolled out an update for Google Duo that introduced meeting capabilities to the video calling app. Now, Google is rolling out yet another update for the Duo app on Android and iOS that finally kicks off the merger.
Google Duo will soon merge with Google Meet
Google Duo will soon merge with Google Meet, and all of your favourite features from both services will be in the one app.
Google has a long and tumultuous history with its messaging apps, and while the company sometimes makes steps in the right direction, things can get confusing -- fast. One of the steps that the company is taking to help minimize the number of applications it has for contacting others is to merge Google Meet into the Google Duo app.
Teardown: Google Duo might get Meet's Companion Mode soon
A teardown of the latest version of Google Duo for Android has revealed that the app could get Google Meet's Companion Mode soon.
In June last year, Google previewed a new second-screen experience for Google Meet called Companion Mode. Google then shared more details about the mode in September, revealing that it would let participants use their laptops or smart home devices as a second screen for a video call. The feature finally started rolling out to users earlier this year in January with support for the Google Nest Hub Max, and Google is now prepping to bring the Companion Mode to its other video calling app -- Google Duo.
Google brings Google Duo Live Sharing and YouTube previews in Messages to the new Samsung Galaxy S22 series
Google is launching Google Duo live sharing, YouTube previews in Messages, and more on the new Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series.
Samsung just lifted the covers off six new flagship devices, including three Galaxy S22 series smartphones and three Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets. The new devices feature top-of-the-line hardware, including the latest chipsets from Qualcomm and Samsung, impressive high refresh rate displays, faster charging capabilities, and more. In addition, Samsung announced that these devices will ship with One UI 4.1 based on Android 12, which will include a bunch of new software features as well. On top of that, Samsung also announced that it will now offer up to four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates for all the new devices and a few older flagships. But that's not all.
Google Duo preps Breakout rooms and the ability to broadcast and record meetings
In our recent teardown of the Google Duo app, we have learned about an upcoming feature called Breakout rooms.
It's been a while since the Google Duo app received a new feature, with Google giving most of its focus and attention to Meet as of late. But that dry spell may soon come to an end. In our recent teardown of the Google Duo app, we have learned about an upcoming feature called Breakout rooms.
Google Duo has an audio bug on Android 12, but a fix is on the way
Google is fixing a bug in the Duo calling app that caused audio to be muted on phones and tablets running Android 12.
Android 12 has been available for a few months now on Google's own Pixel phones, and a number of third-party phones and tablets have also received the update. Even though each new version of Android is supposed to be fully compatible with everything built for previous versions (excluding very old applications), some apps and games do break for one reason or another. One such application appears to be Google Duo, as Google is now working on a fix for a bug on Android 12 devices.
Google Duo is the latest app from Google to get a Material You makeover
Google Duo is the latest app from Google to get a Material You makeover, bringing it up to speed alongside a number of other Google apps.
Android 12 is just around the corner, and Google will soon be releasing the first stable builds of Android 12 for Pixel smartphones. Before that update rolls out, product teams across Google are working to update their apps in accordance with Material You, the latest evolution of Google’s Material design language. Recently, we saw a ton of Google Workspace productivity suite apps including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and more get updates to support Material You. After that, Google Keep was announced separately to be getting the update too. Now, the company's video calling app, Google Duo, is the latest to get the Material You makeover.
Google Duo is rolling out a simpler homescreen UI
Google is rolling out a new update to the Google Duo app which brings a simpler home screen UI. Read on to know more.
As Google has shifted its focus towards Google Meet of late, Google Duo, the company’s other video conferencing service, has been feeling a bit neglected. We have seen Google slowly bringing over some of Duo's features to Meet, like the new call filters and effects. We have also been hearing rumors that Google might eventually phase out Duo in favor of Meet. Only time will tell whether Meet will replace Duo, but Google is continuing to improve the service with new additions in the meantime.
Google Duo uses a new codec for better call quality over poor connections
Google has developed Lyra, a low-bitrate codec for speech compression that aims to vastly improve voice quality in apps like Google Duo.
While U.S. carriers are busy marketing their new 5G networks, the reality is that the vast majority of people won't experience the advertised speeds. There are still many parts of the U.S. — and around the world — where data speeds are slow, so to compensate, services like Google Duo use compression techniques to efficiently deliver the best possible video and audio experience. Google is now testing a new audio codec that aims to substantially improve audio quality on poor network connections.
The Galaxy S21 can add custom backgrounds during video calls in Duo, Zoom, Teams, and Webex
Samsung's Galaxy S21 series has a feature that lets you add a custom background while chatting in popular video conferencing services.
By now you’ve probably participated in a video call or two in the last few months. And by now you’ve probably realized that having all of your co-workers see your room is a little odd. If you pick up the Galaxy S21, you can mitigate that weirdness by enabling new video call effects.
Google Duo may shut down in April for uncertified Android devices
Google Duo, much like Google Messages, will likely stop working for uncertified Android devices from April 2021. Read on to know more!
We recently reported on new strings found within the Google Messages app that suggested that the app would stop working on uncertified Android devices from April 2021. It seems that Google Duo may also be joining this list, as new strings within the app's latest update suggest a similar shut down for April for the video calling service.
Google Duo's auto-framing feature is available on Samsung's Galaxy S21
Android's official Twitter account confirmed Google Duo's auto-framing feature will be available on the Galaxy S21 series.
Toward the end of last year, we reported that Google Duo’s auto-framing feature was on its way to Samsung Galaxy devices. Following the launch of the Galaxy S21 series, the official Twitter account for Android has confirmed the feature will indeed be available when the new devices become available later this month.
Pixel Feature Drop adds Adaptive Sound, new Google Photos suggestions, and more
Google has brought several new features to its line of Pixel smartphones with the latest Pixel Feature Drop for the month of December 2020.
The bad news is today is Monday. The good news is Google has announced a new Pixel Feature Drop, which brings some newer features to older Pixel phones and introduces what the company describes as a “few new surprises.”
Google Duo's auto-framing feature is coming to Samsung Galaxy devices
Samsung Galaxy owners who use Google Duo can now use the video application’s auto-framing feature, which was exclusive to the Google Pixel 4.
Samsung Galaxy owners who use Google Duo will soon be able to use the video application’s auto-framing feature, which was previously exclusive to Google's Pixel 4. Auto-framing is a feature that automatically keeps you front and center during a video call.
You can now share your screen in Google Duo and blur backgrounds in Google Meet
Google Meet has finally added the ability to blur your background during meetings. Google Duo, meanwhile, has added screen sharing.
As promised, Google is rolling out background blurring to Google Meet, making it easy for users to minimize background distractions during a video call. The feature is available to all G Suite customers and users with personal Google accounts.
[Update: Available] Google Duo is coming soon to Android TV in beta
Google Duo, Google's popular consumer video calling application, will soon launch in beta on televisions running Android TV.
Google Duo has served as a great way to video chat on smartphones since its launch in 2016, and itâs soon about to make its big-screen debut. Alongside the recent launch of Google Meet on Chromecast, Google on Thursday teased the upcoming launch of Google Duo on Android TV.
Google Duo can now show captions for voice and video messages
Google's popular video calling app Google Duo has received a new feature which will automatically generate captions for video/audio messages.
Earlier this year in April, we spotted a test in Google's popular video calling app Duo which added closed captions to video and audio messages on the app. The test revealed that the app would receive a new "CC" button in the Message Player, which would allow users to toggle captions on and off. Now, the company is finally enabling closed caption in Google Duo for all users.
Report: Google Meet is going to replace Google Duo
A new report suggests that Google Duo, Google's alternative to FaceTime, is going to be replaced by Google Meet, Google's alternative to Zoom.
Google reportedly has plans to phase out Google Duo, originally a FaceTime competitor, in favor of Google Meet, its video conferencing app that competes in the same space as Zoom.
[Update 6: Groups of 32 on Android] Group video calling in Google Duo goes live globally
Google Duo now allows users to make group calls with up to four participants and the feature is currently live only in select regions.
Google was at the disadvantage of being late when it launched Allo and Duo to compete against the much older existing heavyweights. As a result, Google Allo, the online messaging service collapsed under the pressure of giants like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram, but Google Duo has sustained the pressure for delivering video calling as its primary feature - an experience similar to Apple's Facetime. To make up to its competitors, Duo has been added with additional features like audio calling, 30-second-long video messages, support for web browsers and tablets. Meanwhile, another new functionality making its way to the app is Group video calling, which was spotted late last year and is now live in select regions.